Micronema bleekeri

Bleeker's Sheatfish

Classification

Siluridae

Distribution

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Inhabits rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. Migrates into flooded areas during the rainy season. These migrations are affected by the lunar cycle as well as changing water levels.

Maximum Standard Length

24″ (60cm).

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

72″ X 24″ X 24″ (180cm x 60cm x 60cm) – 680 litres bare minimum for an adult fish though the bigger the tank the better.

Maintenance

This species requires a lot of open swimming space, along with some suitably-sized hiding places. Lengths of thick plastic piping should be adequate for this, as it is doubtful that any aquatic plants could withstand the movements of a fish this size. Filtration should be powerful and efficient, as this fish is a messy eater and produces a lot of waste, ande is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. Regular water changes must be strictly observed for the same reason. The tank should also have a very heavy, tightly fitting cover, as the fish are good jumpers.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 72-81°F (22-27°C)

pH: 6.0-7.0

Hardness: 3-10°H

Diet

Relatively unfussy and will take most live, frozen and dried foods. Offer larger specimens earthworms, pieces of prawn and mussel and dried pellets.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Fairly peaceful for its size, although it will eat any smaller fish it can fit in its mouth. Good tankmates include medium to large sized cyprinids, characins, similarly-sized Asian or South American catfish and larger cichlids.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males have a serrated edge to the pectoral spine, while females do not. Mature females are thicker-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Not yet thought to have been achieved in the aquarium.

NotesTop ↑

An irregular import, this species is often confused with some of its congeners. It makes an interesting addition to a community of larger fish.